Vitality Netball Superleague - Round Eight Preview and Betting Tips

Following a weekend full of shock results, expectations are high as the Vitality Netball Superleague enters its eighth round of fixtures. Surrey Storm will hope to return to winning ways after suffering their first defeat of the season at the hands of Wasps, while Loughborough Lightning will be aiming to protect the only unbeaten record left in the division as they face a resurgent Team Northumbria. Elsewhere, there’s a huge game in the battle for fourth, as last year’s Grand Finalists Manchester Thunder look to open up a six point gap over rivals Team Bath when the two teams clash this Friday. Who’ll take their chances and which teams will fall short as the race for a place in the semi-finals intensifies?

The Fixtures

Friday

Team Bath v Manchester Thunder - Having squandering a narrow lead at the end of the second quarter, Team Bath suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Sirens in Round Seven, eventually losing 51-45. That loss saw the Somerset side leapfrogged in the table by their next opponents, Manchester Thunder, who successfully put Hertfordshire Mavericks to the sword. With three points now separating the two teams ahead of this fixture, Friday’s result could be crucial in the battle for fourth place. Thunder, who are unbeaten in five, will fancy their chances in what could be a very tight contest.

Top Tip: Manchester Thunder to win - 4/6

Wasps Netball v Celtic Dragons - Wasps became the first team to beat defending champions Surrey Storm, and clinched the Tom Reseigh Trophy in the process. The Coventry outfit will certainly be hungry for further success as they look to close the gap on Storm and leaders Loughborough Lightning, and will be more than confident of taking the spoils against bottom side Celtic Dragons. The Welsh side are now the only Superleague side without a win this campaign and hold the unwanted distinction of having the worst goal difference in the division. Expect Wasps to run riot.

Top Tip: Wasps Netball to win (with a -20.5 handicap) - 5/6

Saturday

Sirens v Surrey Storm - Sirens gave themselves an outside chance of making the top four with a surprise win over Team Bath, dominating the scoring in all but the second quarter. The Scots will need to be at their very best again this weekend as Surrey Storm visit the Emirates Arena; however, the defending champions will not fancy losing two games on the bounce, with the old adage of a wounded tiger being a dangerous beast seeming most apt ahead of this encounter.

Top Tip: Surrey Storm to win - 1/10

Hertfordshire Mavericks v Severn Stars - Following their win over Sirens in Round Six, things were starting to look a little brighter for Severn Stars. However, a crushing 61-39 defeat to bottom of the table Team Northumbria will have surely dented the confidence of the women from Worcester. This, therefore, could prove the perfect time for the Mavericks to strike and begin turning around what has been a desperately disappointing season, one which has seen the team pick up just two wins in seven outings. Don’t count on this being a classic, as both teams battle hard for the win, with home advantage possibly proving the difference.

Top Tip: Hertfordshire Mavericks to win - 2/5

Team Northumbria v Loughborough Lightning - Team Northumbria may have picked up their first win of the campaign, but their players will need to put in a superhuman effort if they are to inflict a first defeat of the season on leaders Loughborough Lightning. The Leicestershire lasses have been in fine form this year, picking up maximum points as they go in search of their first ever Superleague title. Don’t expect lightning to strike twice for Team Northumbria, as Loughborough look to hold on to top spot.

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